Saudi Arabia’s low-cost airline Flyadeal has officially launched its flight operations to Pakistan. The Flyadeal inaugural flight landed in Karachi on February 1, 2025.
The airline’s inaugural flight, F3-661, arrived at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport from Riyadh at 8:04 AM, according to a Pakistani Airport Authority (PAA) spokesperson. The flight was greeted with a ceremonial water salute.
Celebrating the inaugural Flyadeal flight
A ceremony was held at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport to celebrate the inaugural flight. Passengers also received gifts on the occasion.
Farooq S. Ahmad, Flyadeal’s head of sales, shared that the airline’s first flight from Karachi to Riyadh was fully booked, with all 186 seats sold. He also noted that flights to both Jeddah and Riyadh are fully booked for the next week, reflecting strong demand for travel between the two countries.
Expansion Plans for Pakistan
Flyadeal CEO Con Korfiatis emphasized the airline’s commitment to expanding its network in Pakistan. While Flyadeal previously operated Hajj charter flights in 2024, this marks its first scheduled service.
The airline is starting with two weekly flights from Riyadh and Jeddah to Karachi, with plans to increase flights further. Beginning March 1, Flyadeal will double its weekly Karachi-Jeddah flights from two to four.
The airline has also expressed ambitions to expand to other major cities within Pakistan. “We have already increased our flights, and we plan to reach various parts of the country, including northern regions. Eventually, we hope to serve Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar, and even Multan and Sialkot,” Ahmad said.
Ahmad pointed to the strong demand for travel between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, driven by religious tourism, such as Hajj and Umrah, as well as the large Pakistani diaspora in Saudi Arabia.
“Saudi Arabia is the number one destination for Pakistanis,” he said. Flyadeal’s low-cost model is expected to appeal to a broad range of passengers, from budget travelers to those seeking full-service options, helping to meet this growing demand.
With its focus on expanding both its network and customer base, Flyadeal aims to establish itself as a key player in the region’s air travel market.